Adult Acne: Acne in Women

All varieties of acne are more common in women than in men, but even though it is not uncommon for acne to occur in women, it can be a serious problem in some cases. For some women, acne may be a warning sign of an underlying medical condition. When a woman's acne is accompanied by excessive facial hair, thinning hair or bald areas on the scalp and irregular menstrual cycles, it may be symptomatic of polycystic ovaries or adrenal hyperplasia. Polycystic ovaries develop due to a condition that causes cysts to form in the ovaries, and adrenal hyperplasia refers to a class of adrenal gland disorders. Acne may also be a warning that a hormone secreting tumor may have formed in the adrenal gland or an ovary. Due to the seriousness of these conditions, it is imperative that a woman experiencing these symptoms be seen by a medical professional.

Birth control pills can also have an effect on a woman's acne. When a woman discontinues using birth control pills, she may experience a flare up of acne. This occurs because some forms of birth control pills contain hormones that help to suppress the formation of acne. Birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestins often help to control a woman's acne, so starting a birth control regimen is a possible treatment option for women who have adult acne. However, birth control pills that contain only progestins, it can make acne more severe. Acne can also be a side effect of other medications, including anticonvulsants, corticosteroids and sobriety drugs. The use of a prescription medication should never be discontinued because acne develops or worsens. In some cases the doctor who prescribed the medicine may be able to change the prescription to another medication that will not cause the acne to flare up, but if it is not possible to change the medication, a dermatologist can suggest ways to control the acne. Do not stop taking the medication without discussing it with your physician.

It is common for women of all ages to have issues with acne, and there are many treatment options available. The best way to control acne is by developing a treatment plan with your dermatologist.